janie ilona's beauty rants

Best products to achieve THAT summer glow I assume most people want the bronzed tan look that has been en vogue since Coco Chanel first came home from her vacay in 1923. Unfortunately, ever since I started actually wearing sunscreen, I came across a slight problem. My face was no longer getting color— or nearly as much as I wanted (yes, I know it’ll be worth it when I’m not already wrinkling at 25, but ya girl just wants to look less like the moon emoji and more like a Krispy Kreme donut. Let me live). So, we must adjust and adapt. Here are the products that I have found that help me look like I’m from Melbourne, not London. (No shade to my fellow pasties— pun intended. We need less shade!!)  Soleil Tan De Chanel: What better product to start off with— either on paper or on the face. This buttery, beautiful bronzing base can be used under or over foundation, or on bare skin for those looking for a more natural look. Looks amazing on the eyes— use a quick swipe with your fi...

Why Cream/Liquid Blushes are the move for Summer-- and the rest of the year Until I tried them, cream and liquid blushes always seemed daunting— how much should I apply?? Is it easy to end up looking like a clown??? Which formula is best???? HELP?!?!?!?!?!  So naturally, I stuck with the good-ole-reliable powder blush.  But I was dumbfounded when upon actually trying these products, I actually really liked them. They were easier to blend out to subtly, and gave more of an “Oh! You just happened to catch me looking like Emily Ratajkowski fresh off a run” look than a powder blush could ever provide. (I’m just assuming Emily Ratajkowski looks good after a run— do you blame me?)  Not to mention… no brushes! The lazy gal’s ultimate dream… look non-dead WITHOUT ever having to clean a brush! Use them fingies, ladies and gents! Now, enough of me blabbering. I’ll give you what you came for— a list with links.  Glossier Cloud Paints: For the artsy gal. Comes in...

Pixi Glow Tonic Toner Review  As I walked through Anthropologie, bored as hell, I thought about my dilemma. I had about $15 to my name, and I had just run out of my favorite toner, Son and Park’s beauty water ($30)— what would I do?? How would my skin possibly be gently exfoliated daily while being prepared for serums and moisturizers???? (the ultimate first world problem— I can feel Bernie Sanders materializing behind me as I type this)   I checked out the clearance beauty shelves, not expecting much. At boutique-like stores, I find that a lot of the skincare products are the kind that the packaging is so cute that it can trick people into buying it if they don’t look at the ingredients too hard. I saw some Pixi products and noticed that their Glow Toner was on sale for $11 . (normally $15 for 3.4 oz) I felt that it was a sign— I had seen this product a lot on Youtube— and it didn’t seem to be a joke. Check out HeyitsHope’s channel— she uses this frequently and he...

Why Facial Mists are more important than you think – and how to get the best use of them From the perspective of a beginner in skincare, facial mists seem a bit foolish. Paying over $7 for a glorified spritz bottle of rose water or spring water, from some place in France? (Looking at you, Evian) It just seems silly. To be honest, they seem a bit silly to me too. Except, they’ve become one of the most crucial parts of my routine, from morning to night.  Gonnna go on a bit on a tangent here— just wanted to implore the public to PLEASE STOP USING MARIO BADESCU’S ROSEWATER SPRAYS!!!!! STOP IT!!!!! Literally use any other rosewater— make your own! Their sprays have a lot of ingredients— including fragrance. Most rosewater sprays should just be rosewater. I can’t speak for the rest of Mr. Badescu’s line, but don’t let skincare twitter trick you into buying a rose perfume for your face.  Personally, I stand by Heritage Store’s Rosewater & Glycerin spray. There’s ...

The Importance of Sun Protection+Review  Most people my age don’t have a solid skincare routine- that’s fine. A lot of girls go to bed wearing makeup- that’s pretty bad, but Dolly Parton does it, so I guess it can be justified. But sun protection- that’s where I draw the line.  I wasn’t always big on sun protection. I didn’t do it everyday until last year. Before it was hard to remember and I really struggled to find the right one. It either looked greasy, white or would ball up halfway throughout the day. Eventually, I gave up! I had found great moisturizers, serums, and the like, so it must just be my skin.  NOPE.  I was wrong. Eventually, I took skincare thread twitter’s advice and picked up the Neutrogena Clear Face sunscreen. It worked! Thanks, Twitter!  I was wearing sunscreen every day, doing my thing. Until one day, when everything changed.  I was waiting for a prescription in Giant (as you do), until I noticed a Neutrogena ...